In order to qualify for PSLF or TEPSLF, you must set up - and be making - income-driven payments.
An income-driven repayment plan sets your monthly student loan payment at an amount that is intended to be affordable based on your income and family size. The Federal Student Aid office of the Department of Education offers four income-driven repayment plans:
- Saving on A Valuable Education Repayment Plan (SAVE Plan, formerly know as the REPAYE Plan, currently unavailable for borrowers to enroll in)
- Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (PAYE Plan)
- Income-Based Repayment Plan (IBR Plan)
- Income-Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR Plan)
If your discretionary income is within a certain percentage of your state's poverty line, then you may qualify for a $0 monthly payment on an Income Driven Repayment plan. Any month when your scheduled minimum payment on an income-driven plan is $0 will count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) as long as are employed full-time by a qualifying employer during that month.
Please see this article for more information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness: https://bysavi.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005058474-What-is-Public-Service-Loan-Forgiveness-PSLF-and-how-do-I-know-if-I-m-eligible